R.I.P., Sean Taylor

Sean Taylor, standout starting safety for the Washington Redskins, has passed away.

Taylor was shot in the leg early Monday morning at his home in Miami, and suffered damage to his femoral artery. Authorities have said that he was shot by an intruder, and that this incident may be tied to a previous break-in.

Living in Florida, I was able to watch Sean Taylor play a number of games, and you could tell from the beginning that he was a special player. He was a consistent contributor for the '01 team that won the National Championship, and followed that with outstanding seasons in '02 and '03. He had the speed to cover almost all of the field, and the power to seperate any receiver from the ball should they attempt to catch it. Those skills helped make him the #5 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.

My condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates.